Industrial engineering, operations research, and systems engineering are fields of study intended for individuals who are interested in analyzing and formulating abstract models of complex systems with the intention of improving system performance. Unlike traditional disciplines in engineering and the mathematical sciences, the fields address the role of the human decision-maker as key contributor to the inherent complexity of systems and primary benefactor of the analyses.

ISyE's faculty and staff members strive to provide a world-class educational experience for the Stewart School's undergraduate and graduate students, and to forge long-lasting relationships with ISyE alumni and industry partners. If you have benefited from a connection with an ISyE faculty or staff member, feel free to take a moment to send a thank-you note to that person via this web form.

You can stay in touch with all things ISyE through our news feed, by reading one of our publications, or attending one of our upcoming events. ISyE employs some of the world’s most experienced researchers in their fields who enjoy sharing their perspectives on a wide variety of topics. Our faculty is world-renowned and our students are intellectually curious. Our alumni can be found around the globe in leadership positions within a wide variety of fields.

Doctoral Programs @ ISyE

The Ph.D. programs offered by the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering equip graduates with strong methodological skills and an ability to produce impactful research results within the disciplines represented in the School faculty. ISyE Ph.D. alumni take up research and teaching positions at top universities worldwide, or join research groups in government or industry.

Doctoral Navigation

Doctoral

Core Ph.D. Degrees

ISyE offers two core Ph.D. degrees, one in Industrial Engineering and one in Operations Research. Most faculty in the School participate in advising students in both programs. A Ph.D. from ISyE provides students with both solid training in fundamental analytical methodology through advanced coursework and guided self-study, and also collaborative mentorship from a world-class faculty in the pursuit of cutting-edge research in industrial engineering, operations research, or statistics.

The Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering degree provides rigorous coverage of core industrial engineering and operations research methodology, with application to challenges within critical systems such as supply chains, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and energy. The degree is offered in four different specializations: Supply Chain Engineering, Statistics, Economic Decision Analysis, and Systems Informatics and Control.

Students pursuing a degree in Operations Research (OR) are exposed to a host of research activities in the School. As one would expect from a program as large as ours, the range and depth of these activities are substantial. Depending upon your taste, your background, or your career intentions, you can engage in research that spans from the most fundamental/theoretical to work that places greater emphasis on applications. No matter your inclination, as an OR student, you can generally find several faculty doing work in your chosen concentration.

Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Degrees

ISyE is a partner in four interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs, Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization (ACO), Bioinformatics, Computational Science and Engineering (CSE), and Machine Learning. Students in these programs with a home unit of ISyE are typically advised or co-advised in thesis research by a School faculty member. Admission to these programs is coordinated by a program committee for each, in conjunction with the ISyE Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization (ACO) is a multidisciplinary program sponsored jointly by the College of Computing, the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and the School of Mathematics. The ACO Program has been designed to ensure that students have a strong fundamental academic base that serves to facilitate and enhance their research options. Graduates of the Program can be found in myriad settings in both academe and industry; some have even chosen careers in finance.

Bioinformatics is a multidisciplinary field in which life sciences, computer science, physical sciences, and engineering are merged to solve both fundamental and applied problems in biology and medicine. The Bioinformatics Program at Georgia Tech is an interdisciplinary doctoral program with a participating schools and departments that include Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computational Sciences and Engineering (College of Computing), Industrial and Systems Engineering (College of Engineering), and Mathematics.

The Computational Science & Engineering (CSE) doctoral program is a joint program between the Colleges of Computing, College of Engineering, and the Science Program. The CSE degree will prepare students for a variety of positions in industry, government, and academia that emphasize research and development. Students will be well prepared for positions in industry in areas such as engineering software systems, web technologies (e.g. search or analysis of social networks), software for consumer product and drug design, to mention a few.

Machine learning aims to produce machines that can learn from their experiences and make predictions based on those experiences and other data they have analyzed. The Center for Machine Learning at Georgia Tech is an Interdisciplinary Research Center that is both a home for thought leaders and a training ground for the next generation of pioneers.

Current Students

Prospective Students

ISyE is a natural choice to begin or enhance your career path. As the #1 ranked program of its kind, ISyE hosts a world-class faculty and unparalleled excellence and leadership in research, education, and service. A degree from ISyE is versatile, offering a wide variety of career opportunities.